Sanitation method for disinfection of enclosed spaces

ABSTRACT

A device for sanitizing a space includes a tank for holding an aqueous sanitizing liquid. A pair of ultrasonic heads is provided, wherein each head has a plurality of vibratable discs for generating ultrasonic energy. A device for vibrating the discs is provided to form an atomized fog of particles from the liquid. A pair of flotation supports float atop the liquid in the tank, each having means for holding a head atop the liquid. A fan is positioned above the supports for distributing the fog throughout a space. The device may also be used to distribute a liquid by creating the atomized fog as above and directing the fog to a desired location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.60/600,252, filed on Aug. 10, 2004, entitled “Sanitation System andAssociated Methods for Disinfection of Enclosed Spaces.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sanitizingenclosed spaces, and, more particularly, to such systems and methodsthat are capable of treating spaces three-dimensionally.

2. Description of Related Art

The sanitization and disinfection of enclosed spaces has become an issueof increasing importance owing to the possible presence of both naturaland deliberately introduced contaminants. Since most commercialbuildings are “sealed,” that is, their windows cannot be opened,circulation of “fresh” air is typically not possible within a particularroom. Similarly, most houses are now effectively sealed, with mostlyprocessed air being circulated. In addition, some forms of conveyance,especially airplanes, are of necessity sealed against the environmentduring flight.

The enclosed nature of modern spaces has led to such problems as “sickbuilding syndrome,” since molds and mildews can flourish in enclosed,damp environments, and also to the possibility of the deliberateintroduction of more insidious threats to life, such as biological andchemical agents.

At present most sanitizing and disinfecting agents are“two-dimensional,” that is, they are applied to accessible surfaces. Forexample, when cleaning a table, typically the cleanser is applied to thetable top, but not the underside.

“Fogging” agents are known for eradicating pests such as fleas and otherinsects. Ionization-type purifiers are also known in the art that useelectrostatic means to collect allergens and pollutants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for sanitizing a space. Thedevice comprises a tank for holding an aqueous sanitizing liquid. A pairof ultrasonic heads is provided, wherein each head comprises a pluralityof vibratable discs for generating ultrasonic energy. A means forvibrating the discs is provided to form an atomized fog of particlesfrom the liquid. A pair of flotation supports float atop the liquid inthe tank, each having means for holding a head atop the liquid. A fan ispositioned above the supports for distributing the fog throughout aspace.

The device may also be used to distribute a liquid by creating theatomized fog as above and directing the fog to a desired location, forexample, for delivering fertilizer or pesticide to a plot of land, forwatering plants, or for distributing a skin-care product to the skin ofa user, although these uses are not intended to be limiting.

The device of the present invention is able to reach all areas in aspace where air can penetrate, and, since the atomized particles havebeen found to remain airborne longer than conventional mists, treatmentis more thorough, and less chemical is required than used by previouslyknown devices. A typical room can be disinfected in 10 min, for example.

The features that characterize the invention, both as to organizationand method of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, will be better understood from the following description usedin conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expresslyunderstood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration anddescription and is not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, bythe present invention will become more fully apparent as the descriptionthat now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the sanitizing device ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a horizontal cross-section of the interiorof the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side-rear perspective view of the panel mount.

FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention willnow be presented with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

A device 10 for distributing an atomized fog of liquid is included inthe present invention (FIG. 1). The device 10 comprises a tank 11 forholding a liquid, such as, but not intended to be limited to, asanitizing liquid. Typically the tank 11 is mounted on a base 12 havinga pair of wheels 13 rotatably affixed thereto along a rear edge 14 and abottom support 15 along a front edge 16 for supporting the device 10when not being wheeled about. A handle 17 extends from the rear of thetank 11. The device 10 also has an outlet 18 comprising an elbow joint19 pointing upwards of the tank 11 and having an inlet 20 into the spaceabove the liquid in the tank 11. A condensation drain 21 extends fromthe elbow joint 19 back into the tank 11. The control system for thedevice 10 is positioned within a housing 22 affixed behind the tank 11.

Within the tank 11 are positioned a pair of ultrasonic heads 23 (FIG.2). Each head 23 comprises a plurality of vibratable discs 24 forgenerating ultrasonic energy in ways known in the art by means of a dctransformer 25 (e.g., two 120 to 36-V dc transformers) positioned withinthe housing 22. A pair of flotation supports 26 float atop the liquid inthe tank 11. Each support 26 in a preferred embodiment comprises atoroidal element having a central hole adapted to hold a head 23 atopthe liquid. The supports 26 are tethered together with a linkage 27 thatis preferably inflexible. When the heads 23 are activated, the discs 24are vibrated, and an atomized fog of particles of approximately 1-8 μmdiameter is formed from the liquid. If the liquid level gets too low, ashutoff 28 on the heads 23 will deactivate the transformer 25.Additionally, the user can view the liquid level through a site glass 29positioned through the rear wall 30 of the tank 11.

A fan 31 is positioned within a hole 32 in a panel mount 33 (FIG. 3) andabove the supports 26 for distributing the created fog throughout aspace. The panel mount 33 also includes an aperture 34 for leads betweenthe heads 23 and the transformers 25 and an aperture 35 for passing thecondensation drain 21 therethrough.

On the rear face 36 of the control system housing 22 (FIG. 4) arepositioned control knobs 37 for setting timers and speed as desired,control switches 38, and a time meter 39. Along the bottom of the tank11 is positioned a drain 40.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because suchwords are used for description purposes herein and are intended to bebroadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the apparatusillustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope ofthe invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

1. A method for sanitizing a space comprising the steps of: adding anaqueous sanitizing liquid to a tank; supporting a pair of ultrasonicheads within the tank atop the liquid, each ultrasonic head supportedwith a separate flotation support, each head comprising a plurality ofvibratable discs for generating ultrasonic energy; tethering theflotation supports together; vibrating the discs to form an atomized fogof particles from the liquid; distributing the fog throughout a space,for disinfecting the space.
 2. The method recited in claim 1, whereinthe tank is held by a base.
 3. The method recited in claim 1, furthercomprising controlling the vibrating and the distributing steps.
 4. Themethod recited in claim 1, wherein each flotation support comprises agenerally toroidal element having a central hole dimensioned to hold anultrasonic head therein.
 5. The method recited in claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of sensing a level of liquid in the tank and,responsive to the sensed liquid level, stopping the vibrating when aliquid level in the tank reaches a predetermined level.
 6. The methodrecited in claim 1, wherein the vibrating step is performed with the useof a pair of transformers.
 7. The method recited in claim 1, wherein thetethering step comprises tethering the ultrasonic heads together with aninflexible linkage.
 8. The method recited in claim 1, wherein theatomized fog comprises particles having a diameter in a range ofapproximately 1-8 μm.
 9. The method recited in claim 1, furthercomprising the step of viewing a level of liquid in the tank through asight glass.
 10. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising thesteps of collecting condensate formed during the vibrating step andchanneling the condensate back into the tank.